A new White Ribbon Scotland website has just been launched! This interactive web 2.0 site provides the opportunity for men in Scotland to sign up to the White Ribbon pledge (“not to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women”) but also contains a wealth of information and resources to help you to engage with this challenging subject. A frequently asked questions section gives answers to questions such as “what about violence against men?”

The site has been endorsed by a range of prominent Scottish men including political leaders (Alex Salmond, Iain Gray, Tavish Scott), religious figures (Cardinal Keith O’Brien of Catholic Church, Osama Saeed of Scottish Islamic Foundation, David Lunan Moderator of the Church of Scotland) and and celebrities (Brian Cox, Christopher Brookmyre, Walter Smith, Gordon Strachan).

As a reader of this blog I’m sure you support the White Ribbon’s aims of getting more men active in challenging violence against women. Please could you therefore:

– visit the new site at www.whiteribbonscotland.org.uk and take the pledge (you can upload a photo and make additional comments too, if you wish). Please note that women are welcome to sign up as supporters of the campaign aims.

– have a look at the additional actions available, even for those who only have a few minutes to spare

– most importantly help us to boost the campaign by passing this message on to your friends, urging them to visit the site too.

Tomorrow – Friday 30th May at 6.30pm – in the Boyd Orr Building, University of Glasgow, White Ribbon Glasgow and the Glasgow Feminist Network are hosting a free screening of the film ‘Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes’ by Byron Hurt. This excellent documentary explores masculinity, violence, homophobia and sexism in hip-hop music and culture. The film will be followed by a panel discussion with local hip-hop heads and feminist organisations.

In the run up to International Women’s Day on Saturday 8th March, several White Ribbon events are happening in Glasgow and Edinburgh next week.

On Wednesday the 5th of March 2008, White Ribbon Scotland invite men to assemble at Bristo Square in Edinburgh from 12.45pm. At 1pm, carrying a giant white ribbon to symbolise the campaign and handing out flyers as we go, we will march along George IV Bridge, down the steps at The Mound, and along Princes St, finishing at at Waterloo Place. A simple action but one that will be seen by a lot of people.

Entitled “Legal responses to Rape: Redressing the Balance“, the conference will examine the new draft legislation around rape and sexual assault, as well as related subjects such as prosecuting rape, sexual history and character evidence, and independent legal representation for rape complainers.

Speakers will include the Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini.

The full programme and booking form are available here in pdf format.
The booking form is also available here in Word format.

As the new administration finds its feet, now is the time to ensure that the issue of violence against women is not sidelined. The Coalition is greatly encouraged by the First Minister’s recent announcement to continue work to bring in new legislation that will address the low percentage of rape convictions in Scotland. However, many more change sstill need to take place so that we can progress towards a new Scotland where women and children can live free from fear.

Frontline services such as Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis groups (historically over-stretched and under-funded) have benefited from national funding streams such as the Violence Against Women Fund and the Rape Crisis Specific Fund. These funds have significantly expanded the services available to women and children across Scotland. It is vital that this work continues if we are to achieve the goal of ultimately ending violence against women.

White Ribbon Scotland supports the statement; you can also make a difference as an individual. By asking your MSP to support the Statement of Intent 2007 your will be asking the new Scottish Government: –

• For the continued provision of funding to violence against women projects to ensure the continuation of essential service provision to women and children experiencing violence.

• For the continued development of strategic work on violence against women, guided by the multi-agency National Group on Violence Against Women and enabled by the Violence Against Women Team within the Equality Unit at the Scottish Government.

• To commit to changing public attitudes and behaviours through education initiatives and public awareness campaigns.

• For the adoption of a broad definition of violence against women, which makes the links between domestic abuse, rape and commercial sexual exploitation.

• To Ensure effective legal protection for women and children experiencing violence.